The Church at Antioch

Transcription

1 The Church At Antioch INSIDE 2 Message from the Pastor 4 Celebrating 45/ Baptized at NBC 8 Youth Turn Up for Jesus 12 A Testimony FELLOWSHIP L Connecting People to Christ The Church at Antioch Bible-based, Christ-centered, Holy Spirit-led, Mission-bound Fellowship, Evangelism, Doctrine, Stewardship July-September 2014 Volume 6, Issue 3 Youth Division culminates with a successful quarter focused on FELLOWSHIP. Antioch Youth Turn Up for Jesus From its start at 7:45 a.m., the Youth Culmination and Torch Passing Service at Antioch Baptist Church North held Sept. 28 was a wonder to behold. Rodney Wilson and Nicholas Brown opened the services, ushering God s word to the pulpit. Siblings Autumn and Justice Riley and Alexandria and Michael Price read the morning scriptures. And little Evan Watson and Joshua Hill led the congregation in prayer. Zoe Jones and Cameron Woods read the morning announcements and recognized the dozens of visitors who came to worship. Joshua Carpenter, an aspiring actor, directed several youth in a moving skit detailing the recent deaths of Trayvon Martin in Florida and Mi- chael Brown in Missouri. What s going on? one of them asked. We can t even walk down the street anymore. They recounted the kidnapping of hundreds of school girls by Nigerian terrorists and they gave us hope. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take Continued on page 2

2 Antioch Baptist Church North Rev. C. M. Alexander, Pastor 2 A Message From The Pastor My Brothers and Sisters, This edition of The Church at Antioch celebrates the personalities, activities, and programs that gave substance and signifi cance to the third quarter of Visions During the quarter so much happened at our beloved Antioch and so many of our members were actively engaged in the vitality of our congregation s religious affi liations; both within the state of Georgia and nationally. As pastor, I am always happy when our members share their gifts, talents, and leadership skills for the advancement of God s Church. This past quarter and especially during the month of August marked a very special milestone for Mrs. A and me at Antioch. The congregation took the time to celebrate my 45th Anniversary as pastor in a very impressive way. All the wonderful hoop la and excitement of the anniversary observance made me realize just how blessed I have been to render Christian Service and pastoral leadership from the pulpit at Antioch. God really invoked His divine favor upon me when I was called to Antioch. Hopefully I have been worthy of that call and in some small measure I pray that my service as your under shepherd has made a genuine difference in the lives of the Antioch membership and in our collective efforts to glorify God while bringing new converts to God s kingdom on earth. Thank you Antioch for your unconditional love and support of Mrs. A, my family, and me during the past 45 years. Thank you, too, Antioch for your trust in my leadership and your willingness to work together to maintain our warm and wonderful fellowship. Your continued love and your unbridled trust give me the needed energy, enthusiasm, and encouragement to stay focused on my service as one of God s change agents to deal with the evils of sin in our society. As always, I appreciate the zealous work of our newsletter staff in capturing the movement and the spirit of our congregation. The look of the publication and the timely coverage of our events are remarkable and deserve our collective gratitude for a job that is always well done. Yours in God s service, Reverend C. M. Alexander, Pastor Continued from cover - Turn Up... thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof, they told the congregation quoting Matthew 6:43. Then before the speakers took to the podium, they passed the leadership torch to the Family Division. They will have big shoes to fill. The youth served well during the months of July, August and September. They traveled to Washington, D.C., the GMBC Congress of Christian Education and hosted the Youth Explosion and Sixth Annual Bow Ties and Pearls. My heart has been warmed during the past three months as I have watched the activities that our youth have spearheaded, Pastor Alexander said. He was flattered, too, to watch the morning s eight speakers imitate him. Isn t this a beautiful Sunday morning, Evan Malbrough said in his opening comments. Malbrough, a 16-year-old junior at Campbell High School, is the son of Joseph and Cara Malbrough. Other speakers included Jebril Reeves, a junior at the University of Georgia and son of Myra and Jeff Reeves; Brandis Rencher, a rising senior at Tuskegee University and daughter of Olivia Rencher; and April Simmons, a junior at Westlake High School and daughter of Julius Simmons and Charlene Parham Simmons, were the featured speakers at the 7:45am service. Rikki Allen, a freshman at East Coweta High and daughter of Ricky and Regina Allen; Zion Byrd, a fourth grader at Morris Brandon Elementary and daughter of Jeffrey and Tangie Byrd; Ishmael Williams, a third grader at Springdale Park Elementary and son of Breyuna Williams; and Alexis Neal, a sophomore at Tuskegee and daughter of Margaret and Kelvin Neal, were the featured speakers at the 11 a.m. service. Each of them built their remarks upon Philippians 4:4: Rejoice in the Lord Always and again I say rejoice. Each of them Turned Up for Jesus. (A synopsis of each speech is on pages 8, 9 and 10.)

3 The Church At Antioch After a brief rain last month, a choir member snapped this breath-taking photo of a rainbow over Antioch Baptist Church North with her cell phone. The photo was a reminder of Genesis 9:16 in which God said: And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth. Antioch attends Congress of Christian Education A large delegation of Antioch youth were among those who gathered in late July for the General Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia, Inc., Congress of Christian Education and Youth and Young Adult Conference held at Dublin High School. For four days, the youth attended the Congress of Christian Education classes, participated in the Youth and Young Adult Convention components, and lent their talents to the Children s Rally, written and directed by Sis. Homerzelle Gentry, and the Youth Rally, written and directed by Dr. Doris Terry of Macon. As always, Antioch youth did well in The Great Debate and the Oratorical Contest. A highlight this year was the Maze, an activity geared to help young people develop an awareness of and Christian response to issues confronting them such as peer pressure, health and wellness, criminal justice. Sis. Dorcas Ford Jones was responsible for this unique activity in which the youth went to different stations, including spending time in jail for making the wrong decision. 3

4 Antioch Baptist Church North Rev. C. M. Alexander, Pastor Celebrating 45/60 7:45am: He answered our prayers In Matthew 9:35-38, Jesus is busy at work teaching and preaching. Many have been brought to him to be healed, set free and delivered. Jesus is attentive to all our needs from the least to the greatest and when we encounter situations beyond our control it s good to know who to carry our problems to, the Rev. Rodney Turner told the Antioch Baptist Church North congregation. It was August 3, the day set aside to honor Antioch s Pastor, the Rev. Cameron Madison Alexander, and Turner s father in the ministry. The service marked 60 years of preaching and 45 years of pastoring Antioch for Alexander. The church s guest preacher at the 7:45 a.m. service, Turner said he s a living testimony that Jesus not only saw my need but he responded. As in the text, Jesus saw his condition and was moved with compassion, he said. Jesus, he said, stops and tells the disciple to pray and to send those who see like him, who love like him, who will care like he cares. There are a lot of people who will show up to preach but there are few folk who can love like God, the Rev. Turner said. Jesus said to the disciples that the Lord of the harvest sends laborers, spiritual workers. A divine laborer has compassion for the least, the less and the lost, Turner said, referring to Pastor Alexander. He has a commitment towards excellence. He has a desire to defend the faith. He has courage. He is purpose driven, always keeping in mind a charge to keep I have, a God to glorify. He has a God agenda, not a selfagenda; a biblical mandate to rightly divide the truth, to not be political but biblical. Turner said that Antioch prayed for God to send a laborer and Pastor Alexander is living proof that God answered the church s prayers. Not only did God answer our prayer, he did more than we deserved, Turner said. 11:00am: He has done great things On the day set aside to honor and celebrate Pastor Cameron M. Alexander s 60 years of preaching and 40 years at Antioch, the Rev. Johnny Flakes stopped by to let the congregation know that the Lord has done great things. Indeed, the son of Antioch and pastor of the Fourth Street Missionary Baptist Church in Columbus, said during the 11 a.m. anniversary service that the Lord is bigger and greater and has done much more than basketball star Lebron James could or would ever do. God is true to his word, said Flakes drawing from the fi rst three verses of Psalms 126. The return of the children of Israel from captivity to home became a reality. Their response was they were fi lled with gladness, he said. For them and for us now, the psalmist says the Lord, Jehovah God has done great things for us. Flakes drew a parallel between the people s return in Psalms with the return of James to his hometown of Cleveland. When he fi nally made his announcement that he would be returning to Cleveland, the city, state was fi lled with gladness, Flakes said. People were in the streets yelling, screaming, and celebrating with gladness. Something wonderful, something special had taken place. Someone wonderful, someone special had returned home. I stopped by today on this celebrated moment to let you know the Lord has done great things for us whereof we are glad. He asked the congregation to contemplate this question: What great things has he done for you? For the children of Israel he delivered them from the captivity of Egypt. He opened the Red Sea and allowed them to pass over. The Lord conquered Pharaoh s army. What great things has he done for us, Antioch? In 1969, God sent Pastor C. M. Alexander to Antioch Baptist Church North. He preached A Man is in town and 45 years later, the man is still in town. Flakes said that God has done great things through Antioch and the servant leadership of Pastor Alexander. Because of his dedication and love for the least, the less and the lost, he said Pastor Alexander was moved to erect the Lord s house in the English Avenue Community where it has remained, providing a beacon of light in an otherwise dark community. Forty-fi ve years, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, God has done great things, he said. I just stopped by to tell you God has done great things through the preaching of Pastor Alexander, Flakes said. Souls have been saved, lives have been changed and restored. God has done great things. 4

5 Sis. Wendolyn Harding represented Antioch at the Eighth Annual General Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia, Inc. Deaconesses, Deacon s Wives, and Deacon s Widows Conference held from August at the Hunter Hill First Missionary Baptist Church. While the conference was started to address the unique position of the deaconess, the classes appeal to anyone interested in growing as a Christian. Why I Am A Baptist, Seasoned Servants, Church Etiquette and The Church At Antioch Deaconesses, deacon s wives and widows lift Jesus up Peggy Cooper, Brenda Eason, and Jean Jones, who assisted with logistics and registration. Other Antioch members took advantage of classes and workshops. Classes designed to help attendees identify leadership characteristics and their application and address challenges, such as conflict, by examining biblical models, were heavily attended. The evening worship was a Holyyear milestone. The worship services inspired spiritual uplift and the welcome program/musical and banquet provided an opportunity for new and continuing friendships and spirited fellowship as GMBC members gathered from across the state. Most moving was the re-dedication ceremony where a sense of purpose and encouragement to not get weary in well doing but to continue serving the Lord with gladness permeated the gathering and bond everyone with a renewed energy to lift up the name of Christ. District Congress held at Carver College The Fifth District Congress of Education was held August 5-8 on the campus of Carver College, formerly Carver Bible College, in Southwest Atlanta. Several members of Antioch s Christian Education Department, including the director, Brigitte Hill, took advantage of the opportunity to take the National Baptist Convention Certificate of Progress Program classes, which allow participants to either attain or renew their certifica- The General Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia, Inc. held its annual Leadership Workshop in August at Unionville Baptist Church in Macon. Everyone is a leader in some capacity, so this workshop is not just for elected and appointed leaders of the GMBC. The Rev. Curtis Raines, Sr., told those gathered. Several members of Antioch were in attendance including Sisters Deaconesses in conference classes for deacons provide opportunities for continuing growth. Attendees took classes based on their year of participation, and awards are presented at the fifthtion in Christian education. Effective Bible Reading, Introduction to the New Testament, Baptist Doctrine, and several other classes were offered. The Congress President, Rev. Dr. Clayton E. Taylor, Sr., and the Dean, Dr. Albertine Marshal, both addressed portions of the theme, Christian Growth, Spiritual Enrichment, which emphasized the need for continuing Christian education for a rich and fulfilling spiritual life. Rev. Clayton E. Taylor GMBC holds annual leadership workshop Spirit filled time of praise. President Raines explained the organizational structure of the GMBC and laid out future plans, following which the various auxiliaries met to discuss the work of the Convention when scattered to its constituent districts, associations, and local churches and to solidify plans for the upcoming Annual Session to be held in November in Atlanta. 5

6 Antioch Baptist Church North Rev. C. M. Alexander, Pastor McKinney sisters take crowns at youth conference Antioch Baptist Church North youths Alaila McKinney and Mahalia McKinney took first runner-up awards in late July at the Southeast Region Youth Conference held at the Silver Mount Baptist Church in Charlotte, N.C. Part of the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc., hundreds of youth gathered under the theme Solidarity with the Savior Through Witness. Major emphasis was placed on mission and evangelism, said Sis. Karen McKinney Holley, regional director of the conference. In conjunction with the mission effort, training in evan- There was no such thing as business as usual at this year s Annual Session of the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc., held in New Orleans. The session usually embraces the Labor Day Holiday, but constitutionally, it is supposed to begin on the Monday after the first Sunday, which would have been one week later this year since Sept. 1 was on a Monday, but the session was held from September 1-5. It was also an election year. Five candidates were in the running, so the usual business of the Convention - workshops, worship services, evangelism, and classes - was punctuated with campaign rallies and t-shirted supporters stumping for their candidate. In the end, Dr. Jerry Young of Mississippi, a former vice president supported by the majority of Georgia s delegates, was elected by a large margin to lead the NBC for the next five years. Antioch attended in large numbers, with Co-Pastor, Rev. Kenneth L. Alexander, leading the delegation of Antioch sons and delegates. Also in attendance were Sis. Brenda Eason, vice president of the Ushers 6 gelism and an outreach in a local community yielded one young person professing faith in Jesus Christ. Canned goods and donations were collected by youth from the four states in attendance and donated to Second Harvest Food Bank, which serves the underprivileged throughout metropolitan Charlotte. A very realistic poverty simulation helped the participants to gain a greater understanding of the many difficulties encountered and an empathy for those living below the poverty line. Throughout the session, Holley said youth displayed their gifts through and Health Professionals Auxiliary; Sis. Karen McKinney, director of the Southeast Region Young People s Department, and son of Antioch, Rev. Clarence Moore, vice president of the Southeast Region. Although the session conducts the business of the NBC, its main business is for the Lord. For instance, more than50 youth sponsored an outreach to the Raintree House for Abused and Neglected Youth, where they worthe arts in choral, dance, and drama presentations prepared by each state prior to arriving and in the Conference Christian arts groups developed while onsite and presented during the culminating prayer brunch. The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts and Culture gave an engaging presentation on the achievements of African Americans heightening participants awareness of their history. High school youth toured Johnson C. Smith University, where they were made aware of the opportunities for obtaining a postsecondary education. 30 baptized at NBC annual session Antioch sons and delegates shipped, played games and left school supplies and monetary gifts. The 18th Annual Fashion Share, coordinated by the Woman s Department, provided clothing, gift cards, an exquisite luncheon, and spiritual uplift for low-income and homeless women. The evangelistic outreach to the New Orleans community by the S.W.A.T. team yielded more than 30 for baptism during the closing baptism and communion service.

7 Youth Division Culmination The Church At Antioch 7

8 Antioch Baptist Church North Rev. C. M. Alexander, Pastor Antioch Youth Turn Up for Jesus Jebril Reeves Turn Up is a term widely used among youth today. Sometimes we say turnt-up. Sometimes we might even be turning up at the turn up. But what does it mean to Turn-up? In Webster s Dictionary, turn-up means to fi nd or to raise or increase as if by turning a control. In the online Urban Dictionary, Turn Up is pronounced Turnt-Up and is defi ned as being in a state of altered consciousness or the state of being happy, excited or energetic about someone or something. I am proud to say that the youth of Antioch are happy, excited, and hyped about knowing Jesus Christ! Because we know Jesus, we have a responsibility to turn up and be an example so that others will know Him, too. Turning up in college is pretty easy, but turning up for Jesus isn t always as easy. As a college student, I see much apprehension and division among my friends and classmates when it 7:45AM Worship Service Model Christ so that others will know him comes to religion. In fact, according to a Trinity College study that asked students at 38 colleges if they d describe themselves as religious, spiritual or secular person, 32 percent identifi ed as spiritual, 31.8 percent as religious and 28.2 percent as secular. The most concerning thing for me is that even those who said they believed in God, admitted to having doubts about the existence of a higher power. That resonated with me because I see examples of these fi ndings even in my circle of friends. As youth and young adults, it can be hard to keep your faith when things seem to be going wrong all around you. When I really think about it - this is when I get to TurnUP for Jesus and be the example set by my parents and members of this church. As Christians, we can Turn UP by being positive role models and pointing others to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I want to be president of the United States Evan Malbrough Antioch, have you ever lost hope; has there ever been a time when you thought God s plan couldn t ever happen? Then know this: God has a plan for you and if you stay on the path he has set out for you no person, no situation and no force can stop you. He will give you a sign that it can be done. I know this personally. When I was about 8Igt got the notion that I wanted to be the president of the United States but soon learned that no person of my heritage had ever held this position. I lost hope. When the teacher asked what I wanted to be I would make something up believing my classmates would laugh at me. Then one day I heard on the radio that Barack 8 Obama, an African American, had announced his bid for the presidency. Not only didn t I believe it, when it was confi rmed I did not believe he would win. That changed on Nov. 4, 2008 when Obama was declared the winner of the election. Now when teachers ask me what my life s goal is, I hold my head high, I stick out my chest and I put some base in my voice and I say president of the United States So turn up because God will always make a way for you. Turn up because God will get us through dark situations that will make you stronger and wiser. And Turn up because Jesus died for you on the cross and rose early on Sunday morning to give you an expected end.

9 Turn up in His name April J. Simmons While fellowshipping with our peers as Christian youth we have the responsibility to show the real reason for turning up. It s okay to turn up with friends, hang out and have fun. But is this the real reason we should be turning up? When I ask my peers their reasons for Turning Up for Jesus, they say he gave me everything I have. But when I think of reasons for turning up, I remem- The Church At Antioch ber Lamentations 3:22, 23: It s of the Lords mercy that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not, They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. Now I know what my pastor means by you have more going for you, than you have going against you. With all my numerous blessings I come here today to tell you, I must follow him and always Turn Up in his name. God is not done with me yet Brandis Rencher So many wonderful things come to mind when I think of all God has done for me. He wakes me up every morning; he has given me a beautiful and loving family, and the opportunity to attend the prestigious Tuskegee University. By my senior year of high school I d learned that I could call on God for anything. During my freshman year in college, however, the happy, goal driven Brandis began slowly changing and I did not know how to get her back. I felt overwhelmed and alone. Top 10 reasons to Turn Up for Jesus Zion Byrd Today as young people we have a lot of things that keep us distracted from listening to our parents, teachers, and God. We get turned up over video games, sports, acting, friends, movies and so many other things. How many of us get turned up for Jesus just as much as we do for those things? How many of us are reading our Bibles and participating in church activities? How many of us pray to God daily and thank him for all his blessings? We need to take time every day and get turned up for Jesus! Why? The Bible tells us that Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. Turn up He fed 5,000. He made the blind man see. He loves 11:00AM Worship Service One night, after sitting in my room crying and mad at the world, I set out walking and ended up in the university chapel. I prayed and I cried and I prayed some more. I realized prayer had been missing in my life. I felt a weight lift from my mind, my body, and my soul. That s why I will TURN UP for Jesus. He has done great things for me. I will TURN UP because He is my God and He will never leave or forsake me. And most of all I will TURN UP for Jesus because I know He is not done with me yet! the little children. Those facts outlined in the Bible but I have my own list of top 10 reasons why you and I should get turned up for Jesus. He woke me up this beautiful Sunday morning. He gave me food to eat and provided shelter for me. He gave me a mind to think and make good choices. He saved my soul in December of He s been good to me. He gave me Godly parents to guide me. He carried a cross and wore a crown of thorns for me. He was nailed to a cross for me and pierced in the side for you and me. He died one Friday, stayed dead all day and night Saturday. Last, He got up early one Sunday morning with all power in his hands. Turn up. Turn up for Jesus. 9

10 Antioch Baptist Church North Rev. C. M. Alexander, Pastor God chose me to Turn Up Ishmael Williams When I think of turn up, I think of partying with friends. But you can also turn up for Christ by dancing, singing and even just standing up with your hands raised. In 2nd Samuel Chapter 6 verses we see how David was super excited and enthusiastic about what God had done for him. He danced out of his clothes. He danced so much that his wife, Mical, was embarrassed. When she asked kd David about this, his response was you think that this is something, I will dance even more undignifi ed than It s time to turn it up for Jesus Rikki Kaye Allen People turn up for the club. People turn up for secular music. People turn up at games and parties. People turn up alcohol and drugs, but do people take the time to turn up for Jesus? The reason why I turn up for Jesus is he never gives up on me. He helps me with school. He helped my Mom get better after having brain surgery. He is keeping my brother safe while he serves in the Army. He keeps my sister safe. He helps my Father get through days and weeks of not seeing his family because of his job. The list goes on and on. I also turn up for Jesus for more personal reasons. A poster in my room says it all. It reads: I m not a God wants us to Turn Up and praise him Elexis Neal For as long as I can remember, I ve been turnt up for Jesus. I was raised in the church and my mother infl uenced me to participate in every youth activity because she knew my potential. Today I m a sophomore at Tuskegee University but you know it s always something. I lost my scholarship and was told I wouldn t be getting it back but God had another plan. I am still in school with a $0 balance. That s something to turn up for! If there s anybody here and you are in school or college and God has made a way for you to be there, you need to turn-up for Jesus! Philippians 4:4 reads Rejoice in the lord always, 10 this because God chose me to rule over His people Israel. If David were here today, he might say to us I will Turn UP even more than this. But since David is not here, I will tell you. I, Ishmael Williams, will Turn Up even more than this because God chose ME to speak to you today; God chose me to play the piano, to do good in school and help others. God chose me to use my cartoons and games to inspire others. And God has chosen YOU. So Turn Up! perfect girl. My hair doesn t always stay in place. I spill things. I am clumsy at times and sometimes I have a broken heart. My friends and I sometimes fi ght. Some days nothing goes right, but when I think about it and take a step back, I remember how amazing life truly is. Through all my imperfections, God still loves me. What are your reasons to turn up for Jesus? If you can t think of one, let me give you the best reason of all. He died for your sins so that you might be saved. Now if he can turn up for us don t you think it s time to turn up for Jesus? and again I say rejoice but if you keep reading and skip to verse 6 it says Be careful for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. This is where God is asking you to Turn up and praise him for all he has done for you. You don t need drugs to turn up. You don t need alcohol to turn up. If God woke you up this morning, that s enough reason for you to turn up right there. When I consider all that God has brought me and my family through I can t help but get happy. I turnup because God woke me up. I turn-up because God got up. I turn-up because I can t give up!

11 H.J. RUSSELL & COMPANY The Church At Antioch The Rev. Craig Johnson, a son of Antioch Baptist Church North for the past 13 years, has been called to pastor Calvary Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Ellenwood. One of three sons to be named pastors this year from Antioch, he assumed his position on Sept. 28. Johnson is the fourth pastor to lead Calvary. God spoke. The Holy Spirit led. And the congregation voted, he said. To God be the Glory. Deacon Booker receives honor Antioch Baptist Church North s Calvin Booker Sr. was honored recently as National Alumni President of the Year at the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame s 3rd Annual Legacy of Leaders Alumni Awards Luncheon. Dea. Booker, president of the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff Almni Association, was one of six Historically Black College & University alumni leaders and chapters to be honored at the event held Sept. 26 at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia on Sept. 26. Thomas W. Dortch, Jr., Chairman of the National Black College Hall of Fame Foundation, said that these individuals and alumni associations represent the essence of leadership qualities found within and among the alumni constituency of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Dea. Booker, a 1979 graduate of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, was named president of the university s National Alumni Association in turn out for CMA Golf Classic Antioch Baptist Church North hosted its Seventh Annual Cameron Madison Alexander Golf Classic August 16 at Eagle s Landing County Club in Peachtree City. All proceeds from the golf clinic benefi ts the Antioch Urban Ministries, William A. Clement, Jr. 7th Honorary Chairpersons William A. Clement, Jr. Leona Barr-Davenport Inc., said Deacon Benny Williams, who coordinated the event along with Dea. Rodney Floyd. This year honorary chairs were William Bill Clement and Leona Barr Davenport. Sponsors included Walmart, SPONSORS Gene Lovett Insurance Herman Cain, CEO HermanCain.com ANTIOCH FAMILY! Proud of the job you do or want to nominate your sister or brother in Christ to be featured in an upcoming issue of The Church At Antioch? your story idea to Sis. Gracie Staples at gstaples@ajc.com. Georgia Power, Columbia Residential, H. J. Russell, Chick-fi l-la, AIB, William Clement Lovett Insurance, New York Life Insurance Company, Herman Cain, and the Coca-Cola Company. First-place winners were William Oliver, Henry Fisher, William Davis II, and William Davis III. Second place winners were James Hill, the Rev. Ken Jelks, the Rev. Charles Skip Walker and Richard Burton. 11

12 Antioch Baptist Church North Rev. C. M. Alexander, Pastor A testimony Let go and let God by Joshua Carpenter Sometimes I feel as though there is so much destruction in the world that there seems to be no good left. And so it is not unusual for me to worry about what the future holds, to hold tight to all the stress and problems I face. I m learning, however, to just trust and believe that following God s plan is the Joshua Carpenter only way that I can make it through life s journey. Try as I might, deviating from God s plan, trying to forge my own way has only led to more pain. Sometimes, when things are going well, obstacles are thrown in our way and we start to worry instead of putting our faith in God. I discovered this two weeks ago, when my appendix burst unexpectedly and I had to have emergency surgery. The surgery went well but then an infection set in and I had yet another obstacle to overcome. My back was against the wall. The odds were stacked against me but somehow, some way, I had to let go and let God. I turned up for Jesus. Not only did he restore my health, he saved my life. Editor s Note: If you have a testimony you d like to share about God s Grace in your life, please it to Sis. Gracie Staples at gstaples@ajc.com. IT S REVIVAL TIME!! Fall Concert: Sun, Oct 26, 5:00pm Revival: Wed, Oct 29 - Fri, Oct 31 Our Revivalist is one of Antioch s Sons, the Reverend Jermaine Simmons, pastor of the Jacobs Chapel Baptist Church in Tallahassee, Florida. Noonday Services Dinner 5:15pm - 6:45pm Classes 6:15pm - 6:50pm Devotion 7:00pm Members are asked to give a Generous Revival Offering. Members and friends are encouraged to share in the Fellowship and be Revived! Revived! Revived! A special Thank You For the past three months, Antioch Baptist Church North youth participated in every aspect of the worship service. The Youth Division is especially grateful for the following youth who read the morning scripture: JULY Eli Washington Olivia Richardson William Evans Myverly Wheeler Chelsi Lester Cameron Woods Zion Byrd AUGUST Chase Walker Omari Washington Eden Riley Tyler Campbell Nigel Cochran Michael Eason Jillian Carroll Martin Milligan Gigi Johnson Morgan Martin SEPTEMBER Elijah Barkley William Simon Nebrina Harton Carl Melton 12 Advisors Barbara J. Alexander Barney Simms Managing Editor Gracie Bonds Staples Design Editor Reggie Tolbert Writers Betty Jo Cooke Karen S. Holley Bethany Watson Photographers Darryl Speed Reggie Tolbert The Church at Antioch Newsletter Staff Contributions by December 14, Cameron M. Alexander Blvd, NW Atlanta, GA